Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY153289 Unique Reference Number 09 January 2007 Inspection date Carolyn Gifford Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2002. She lives with her husband and two daughters aged eight-years-old and six-years-old at Sprotbrough in Doncaster. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has one pet rabbit.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

A maximum of five children may attend at any one time. There are currently seven children on roll, all of whom attend on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local toddler group, takes children to the library, parks and play areas.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is inadequate. The childminder provides a clean and well-maintained home, which contributes to protecting children from illness and infection. Children learn simple good hygiene practices through the clear explanations given by the childminder as they follow their daily routines. For example, children happily wash their hands before eating and after toileting and are beginning to show some understanding of why this is important.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a good range of physical activities, which gives them the opportunity to develop confidence and control in their movements. Children are able to rest or be active according to their needs and as they become increasingly aware of how exercise affects their bodies, the childminder ensures there is regular intake of fluids.

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Helping children to be healthy

Records clearly indicate dietary requirements for each child, which ensures that individual needs are catered for in accordance with parents' wishes. The childminder provides healthy and nutritious home cooked food and encourages children to make healthy food choices.

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Helping children to be healthy

Most of the relevant written parental consents are in evidence. However, there is no written parental permission for the childminder to seek emergency medical advice or treatment, to administer first aid or for children to have contact with the pet rabbit. The childminder does not have a current first aid certificate, which could compromise children's general welfare. Although there are systems in place to record when medication is administered, there is insufficient detail included. For example, the reason for the medication is not recorded, whether it is prescribed or not or the time of the last dose. This could also compromise the general well-being of children

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder does give due consideration to children's safety and has taken some steps to ensure children are kept safe and free from harm. However, some potentially hazardous cleaning materials are stored within reach of children in the first floor bathroom and the fire and its surround in the lounge is accessible to children, which does compromise children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play with good quality resources and equipment, which the childminder checks regularly to ensure they remain safe and suitable for the ages and abilities of the children attending. Toys are readily accessible and children are able to make choices about their play. This helps children to gain in confidence and also develop their independent skills. Children are kept safe on outings as the childminder uses appropriate restraints and talks to them about road safety, which effectively contributes towards children learning to keep themselves safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded because the childminder has a clear understanding regarding her role in child protection. She is aware of the procedure to follow in the event of having concern about a child, although there is no written child protection statement in evidence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, secure and content in the childminder's care. They make good progress in all areas of their development because the childminder understands that children learn best when they are interested and challenged. Children are enthusiastically involved in a wide range of age-appropriate activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder considers the ages and abilities of individual children when planning activities. This ensures they are suitable and purposeful, help children to make progress and develop their levels of confidence in their abilities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There are effective daily routines in place and children are familiar with the environment, which helps them to feel comfortable and at ease. The childminder encourages children to access resources independently and there are good opportunities for children to explore, both indoors and out, which builds on their natural curiosity as learners.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Early communication skills are nurtured as the childminder responds to what children say and do with smiles, eye contact and by echoing their words and sounds. Younger children are able to participate and join in activities, for example, when singing repetitive songs and rhymes, as the childminder is beginning to use the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children show a strong sense of belonging as they are warmly welcomed into the childminder's home. They are comfortable and at ease in the familiar environment, where they can move around freely and confidently choose what they want to do. The childminder helps children to feel good about themselves by giving praise and encouragement for their attempts and achievements.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder encourages children to show concern for others and to value each others similarities and differences. This is reflected in the resources and activities, which promote positive images of diversity. Behaviour is good and the childminder is consistent in her approach. She gives children clear explanations why certain behaviour is not acceptable and works closely with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Relationships with parents are very effective as they are actively encouraged to be involved in their child's care, by sharing information and participating in daily feedback about the days events and activities. The individual needs of children are met well as the childminder takes time to get to know the children and their parents, to establish routines, likes and dislikes. However, the childminder does not have a complaints policy, which means that parents may not be fully aware of the procedure to follow if they have a concern or complaint.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a good understanding of the areas to consider when caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and ensures she meets the needs of all children attending.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The childminder has taken some positives steps towards organising the childminding to support children's care, learning and play. For example, most safety measure are in evidence and most of the relevant policies and procedures are readily available. Space and resources are used well to meet the needs of individual children and the childminder establishes effective partnerships with parents, as she discusses and records all relevant information and detail, which promotes children's general welfare.

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Organisation

However, the childminder does not have a current first aid qualification, which means she does not have the up-to-date knowledge and skills which are necessary in the event of an emergency. This is a breach of regulations and compromises the safety of children in her care.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision does not meet the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection it was recommended that the childminder devise written agreements with parents to ensure all parties are clear regarding expectations and activities to be provided. These are now in evidence, which helps to ensure that children's needs are met well. It was also recommended at the last inspection that parents are provided with details of how to contact Ofsted if they have a concern or complaint. The childminder does inform parents verbally and plans to devise and implement a written complaints policy. This will ensure that parents are well informed and clear about the procedure to follow if they have a concern or complaint.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the 1 April 2004 there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care, the registered person must take the following actions:

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 • obtain a place on an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date specified in the notice.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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